Generation of a computer program to test for correct operation of a data processing apparatus

Active Publication Date: 2006-08-03
ARM LTD
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0015] The present technique recognises that genetic algorithms can be employed to automatically generate computer programs for testing a data processing apparatus for correct operation with the ability of those computer programs to be sensitive to faults simulated upon the data processing apparatus being made a convergence criteria in a way that allows the technique to produce effective test computer programs in a reasonable amount of time. Furthermore, the test computer programs generated in

Problems solved by technology

As the complexity of data processing systems increases, the difficulty of writing software to meet the above criteria also increases and is a task which can take a highly skilled software engineer a disadvantageously long time to complete.
Such a software engineer can use their skill and knowledge of the data proce

Method used

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  • Generation of a computer program to test for correct operation of a data processing apparatus
  • Generation of a computer program to test for correct operation of a data processing apparatus
  • Generation of a computer program to test for correct operation of a data processing apparatus

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Embodiment Construction

[0048]FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a data processing system 2 including a data processing apparatus 4, such as a system-on-chip integrated circuit of the type that could be used in controlling an automotive braking system. This data processing apparatus 4 executes a plurality of application programs 6, 8, using an operating system 10. A software built in self test program 12 is also periodically executed using the operating system 10 to check for the correct operation of the data processing apparatus 4. The software built in self test program 12 will execute with a view to causing the data processing apparatus 4 to adopt a wide range of functional states that are sensitive to potential faults which might occur and then check that the execution outcome is as expected upon completion and during the execution of the software built in self test program 12. If a fault is detected, then appropriate action may be taken, for example generating a warning to a user of the system that it i...

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Abstract

Software built in self test computer programs 12 are generated using a genetic algorithm 14 technique. A fault simulator 20 is used to simulate candidate software built in self test computer programs and compare the simulated execution, such to deliberately introduced test faults, with expected execution outcomes previously derived for that candidate program to determine the sensitivity of that candidate program to the faults which are introduced. This score can be fed back into the genetic algorithm mutation to converge the mutation process upon appropriately fault sensitive software built in self test program code.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] This invention relates to the field of data processing systems. More particularly, this invention relates to the generation of computer programs for testing data processing apparatus for correct operation. [0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art [0004] The testing of data processing apparatus for correct operation is an important area. Data processing systems are increasingly being used in critical environments where it is desirable to be able to regularly check that those data processing systems are operating correctly and continue to be fault free. With the this in mind, it is known to provide data processing systems with built in self test (BIST) capabilities such that, for example, when the data processing system is initialised it performs hardware tests upon itself to check for correct operation. It may additionally be advisable to periodically perform tests upon the data processing apparatus to ensure that it c...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): G06F9/00
CPCG06F11/3688
Inventor BRAWN, JONATHAN WILLIAMCRASKE, SIMON JOHNHARROD, PETER LOGANFURBISH, ERIC JASON
Owner ARM LTD
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